This week we bring you audio from our first live event, A Night Of Blind Optimism, for the video head over to our facebook page.

Startups expose teams to an impossible learning curve, in a harsh, unforgiving environment. Founders have a non-negotiable job requirement to repeatedly bounce back, stronger, faster and more resilient, on a hourly, daily and weekly basis. Whether you’re looking to found your own startup, or just be successful at life and business, hearing these stories will provide a unique opportunity to grow your own skill set for the future.

What makes A Night of Blind Optimism different is there are no pitches, no rose-tinted spectacles or presenting to the audience – just a real conversation with a new founder each month, focused on unpacking the grit, determination, lessons and advice that can only be found on the startup playing field.

Meet Our Guest, Rohit Bhargava
Rohit helps launch, grow and fund startups. Previously he was the co-founder and CEO of "crowdfunding for fashion" platform StageLabel, which helped launch over 150 fashion brands globally. He now hosts the Startup Playbook Podcast, where he interviews successful founders, investors and subject matter experts on how they got started, the strategies they used to succeed, and their advice for current and future entrepreneurs. The podcast hit number 3 on iTunes just 3 days after launching, and has interviewed guests such as Paul Bassat (founder of Seek and Square Peg Capital), Ash Maurya (creator of The Lean Canvas and author of Running Lean) and Nathan Chan (founder of Foundr Magazine), among many others! He is also the Director of Playbook Studios, a growth marketing agency that helps startups and businesses build traction and grow through content, branding and digital marketing.

Meet Our Host, Lan Nguyen
Lan has a Bachelor of Psychology and Masters in Counselling from Monash University and has worked for NGOs across South Australia and in private practice. Her experience includes Comorbidity Project Officer (dual diagnosis for mental health and AOD), Counsellor for children and adults, case management and as Applied Behavioural Analysis Therapist working with children with autism in early intervention. Lan is passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation, and recognised a gap in the industry: a support network for founders facing adversities and the everyday challenges of startup business. Having pursued her own ventures, Lan understands the many highs and lows that founders experience. Her goal is to create a safe space for founders to start the conversation, and share invaluable tools and resources to better equip founders when challenges arise.

Meet Our Interviewer, Drew Corby
Drew is the host of the Pathways Podcast, and Founder of Pavrr.com, both devoted to connecting people with purpose and impact-driven work. Drew takes a unique and powerful interviewing approach, drawing from 10 years as a coach, manager and leader, allowing the guests to tell their story prompted by the narration unique to Pathways.

A big thank you to the York Butter Factory for opening up their space to host the event.They are the destination point and growth platform for Australia’s most innovative and ambitious technology startups, corporates and early-stage investors.